Best Spaceship Building Games

Building and sim games are much more fun and challenging when players have to build something that's out of this world. Thanks to some of the most complex and fun video games set in space gamers can not only explore other universes but build all kinds of futuristic sci-fi and fantasy spaceships.

While these spaceship-building games tend to be more complex and complicated it doesn't mean that beginners or casual gamers shouldn't try them. Players can go on epic adventures while playing with some of the best sci-fi games in which they can not only pilot but build gorgeous and super fast spaceships to explore other planets, stars, and complete solar systems. Some of these fascinating games can even help players learn and improve their real-world knowledge regarding psychics, engineering, and of course space exploration and astronomy.

Updated October 6, 2024, by Hamza Haq: The fantasy of the building, customizing, and driving a spaceship through the vast emptiness of outer space has always had a pull for gamers that's undeniable. It's a core part of what the science fiction genre is based on and an aspect of what drives the popularity of major franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. It's no coincidence, then, that games that revolve around building new spaceships or customizing existing ones have always had a place in the gaming scene and a dedicated audience.

20 Stationeers

Stationeers is the ultimate cosmic crafting challenge that's a great choice for players who love indie strategy games and galactic adventures. This stunning early-access space-building game is set in the vast void of space. During their adventures, players get to manage their very own space stations.

Users will get to utilize their strategic, management, and engineering skills as they grapple with atmospheric, electrical, and agricultural quandaries and more. Stationeers lets players explore a challenging but complex world filled with intricate systems and where players must master the art of science-based survival. Players will have to create the perfect space base to ensure survival and that their livestock don't just float away, while also exploring exotic planets or asteroid belts to gather resources.

19 Space Engineers

Space Engineers is a fun sandbox space builder that lets players use their creativity while exploring a fascinating setting. They get to build intricate space vessels, as well as space stations, and planetary outposts for both civilian and military ventures.

However, Space Engineers isn't just about construction, since players will have to pilot ships and scavenge planets for resources to ensure their survival while enjoying the game's volumetric-based physics engine that gives every object tangible volume, weight, and interactive properties. It's also one of the most realistic space-building games since it draws inspiration from current NASA tech, but takes a 60-year leap into the future. Players can also try a variety of game modes as well as a wide variety of customization options and can build behemoths and explore uncharted galaxies.

18 Starbase

• Release Date: July 29, 2021
• Developer: Frozenbyte
• Genres: Massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Simulation, Shooter, Adventure

Starbase is an early-access MMORPG with cool optimization options and epic battles. Players don't simply get to explore a fascinating galaxy but also build, trade, and engage in challenging battles during their adventures.

Players will get to craft spaceships down to the tiniest bolt or even pioneer their very own massive space station. Starbase's universe isn't just vast; it's volatile with its voxel-vertex blend, that lets players shatter, construct, and strategize. The battles aren't mere firefights either since players will have to rely on their strategic skills if they want to overcome the challenges.

17 Astrox Imperium

• Release date: March 22, 2019
• Developers: Jace Masula
• Genres: Indie, Simulation, Role-playing, Action, Adventure

Astrox Imperium is an early-access space sim with a retro vibe in which players have to min, trade, and fight against pirates. Gamers can also explore a wide selection of maps, enjoy delightful drone dynamics, as well as engage in riveting real-time combat.

Single players can embark on an epic journey throughout endless galaxies and learn how to master various crafts, navigate economies, go on fun missions, and get to know more than seventy beautiful spaceships and drones. Astrox Imperium is also a story-heavy game, so players will get to know an intricate story that immerses them even deeper into the game's unique world.

16 The Last Starship

The Last Starship is one of the most exciting early-access options that's a perfect choice for players who love grand strategy games. While players can choose from pre-packaged builds, they can also decide to build a ship before starting their galactic adventure. They will have to get everything before their trip, including new engines, sensors, and life support.

Players will have to do everything from laying down the ship's pipework to managing all ship-wide systems, all to ensure they build a functioning spaceship that will keep their crew alive. Once done, players will also be able to explore a fun universe and complete missions while enjoying a colorful retro art style.

15 Starcom: Unknown Space

• Release date: May 7, 2022
• Developer: Wx3 Labs, LLC
• Genres: Role-playing, Adventure, Indie, Shooter

Starcom: Unknown Space is another retro-inspired action RPG space-building game that lets players step into the shoes of a fleet commander and go on an epic adventure while exploring and defending the galaxy. Players will get to build their very own starships as well as explore an epic space story filled with mysteries.

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During their adventures, players will not only have to build and manage their starships but also manage all other resources, research technology, and use their strategic skills when commanding their fleet in battles. Thanks to the detailed story players can feel fully immersed in this unique sci-fi gaming world.

14 Sunshine Heavy Industries

Sunshine Heavy Industries is a fun and colorful puzzle game with cute pixel graphics. This relaxing title transports players into a charming sci-fi world where they have to build spaceships from over a hundred different parts, solve tricky design puzzles, as well as learn unique subsystems to be able to build more complex vessels.

Players will also get to meet a wide range of quirky characters who will be their clients and have to learn how to manage their expectations while juggling budgets and ship performance. Sunshine Heavy Industries also has 50+ story levels and is a good choice for players of all levels.

13 Space Scavenger

Space Scavenger is a vibrant roguelike that takes its players on a fun adventure during which they'll have to fight fun battles and craft their ships. In this sci-fi shooter, players can build and command their own spaceships as well as explore planets.

Players will have to battle enemies and learn how to customize and upgrade their ships by improving their fighting capabilities and their layout if they want to stay alive. Space Scavenger is an entertaining spaceship-building game that'll be challenging for players of all levels.

12 Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander

Cosmoteer: Starship Architect & Commander is one of the most exciting and addictive early-access spaceship sim games that lets its players build creative and colorful starships. Players can not only build unique starships but then join epic space battles and explore a dangerous and vibrant galaxy.

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Cosmoteer is a great choice for beginners and more experienced gamers alike since it's an easy-to-learn game and players can go on their adventures with their friends too and help each other during their journey. Gamers will also have to use their strategic and management skills since they'll be also responsible for managing their crew and commanding their fleet.

11 Forever Skies

• Release date: June 22, 2023
• Developers: Far From Home
• Genres: Adventure, Simulation, Indie

Forever Skies is a post-apocalyptic survival game where players return to a ravaged Earth with futuristic technologies in hopes of harvesting something of value from it and uncovering the secrets that led to the widespread toxic mist that now envelopes everything on the planet.

The game shares a lot of similarities with Subnautica, mainly in the form of its fabrication, first-person perspective, and scanning system. However, there are some key differences as well. Instead of creating multiple bases across the sea, Forever Skies asks players to develop their airship, a sort of blimp that can soar through the sky. This also doubles as a base of operations and a HUB area for all survival activities. Having a moveable base is a twist of the survival genre formula that, while rare, isn't unheard of. But one that flies? That's something new. Players can add modules to this airship as they unlock and develop new technologies, which increase the ship's effectiveness in multiple ways.